Season 4
The Big Debate is South Africa's town hall debate show. The show was devised by Ben Cashdan in 2009 and is produced by Broad Daylight Films Foundation, a non-profit production company based in Johannesburg.
Hosted by TV personality Siki Mgabadeli, the show travels across South Africa and beyond, holding our leaders to account and giving a voice to ordinary residents and communities. Nothing is off limits, from health to education, land reform to racism and more.
The show grapples with the most controversial issues and tries to find solutions. From movers and shakers to the masses, everyone is given a chance to air their views.
Over the years the show has featured decision makers and activists from across the world, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, world music icon Angelique Kidjo, former World Bank president Robert Zoellick, former African Union Chairperson Bingu wa Mutharika, former Botswana President Festus Mogae, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
It has also included the voices of residents and community leaders from as far afield as Khayelitsha in Cape Town, New York and New Delhi as well as Bolivia and Colombia.
There were 10 episodes in this season, including three of the BBC shows from Season 3.
Presenter: Siki Mgabadeli
Executive Producer: Ben Cashdan
Broadcaster: SABC2
Locations: De Doorns, Johannesburg, Soweto
TOPICS
Does Land Reform Threaten Our Future?
What will happen if South Africans occupy land by force? Are we heading for a Zimbabwe scenario? Filmed in De Doorns, Western Cape.
Does Public Healthcare Stand a Chance?
Private healthcare has six times more resources than the public health system. Can public health be fixed without using these resources? Filmed in Johannesburg.
Have Artists Sold Out?
The Arts played a key role in the fight against apartheid. Have today's artists forgotten how to use arts and culture to create a better society? Filmed in Soweto.
Is Homosexuality un-African?
In a special episode produced for the BBC, Uganda advocates for the death penalty for homosexuals. In South Africa gay people are protected from discrimination. Which approach is more consistent with African history and values? Filmed in Kampala and Johannesburg.
Are the Police out of Control?
From Marikana to De Doorns and Sasolburg police are being drawn into violence. Do our police have the skills to deal with protests or are they sometimes responsible for increasing the violence?
Does Mining Benefit Africa?
Africa holds 40% world's uranium and gold, 75% of the world's platinum and 90% of the world's diamonds. So why are we Africans so poor? Special episode produced for the BBC. Filmed in Lusaka, Zambia.
Have We Given Up on our Children's Education?
One of South Africa's top matriculants in 2012 was a young woman from Limpopo. Why can't all learners in our poorest provinces achieve these high standards?
Why Poverty?
The Millennium Development Goals promised to halve poverty by 2015. Why are Africa and India lagging so far behind in reaching this target?
Is the Rainbow Nation over?
In the 1990s, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela called for a Rainbow Nation. More than 20 years later, we South Africans are more divided than ever. Why have we failed to deal with racism?
Are we World Leaders in Corruption?
From tenderprise to arms deals, corruption dominates the headlines daily in South Africa. Are our leaders inherently corrupt or are we all party to a culture of corruption? Is our unequal economic system the real problem?